The Comics Run: August 6, 2012

With my video producer on vacation (lucky!) for the next few weeks, I’ll be doing the Comics Run as a written piece. So before you get too excited/angry, know that the show will indeed be returning. If you want a comprehensive list of everything that’s coming out this week and not just my picks for what’s hot, check out Diamond’s shipping list.

Onto my picks:

Batman #12 - $3.99

By Scott Snyder, Becky Cloonan & Andy Clarke | DC

After wrapping up the epic that was the Court of Owls story, artist Greg Capullo is taking an issue off and Scott Snyder is being joined by one of my favorite artists in the comics biz, Becky Cloonan. They’re taking the opportunity to shed some light on the mysterious Harper Row, the young woman that helped Batman after his escape from the Court’s sinister labyrinth. Snyder has teased that she’s appeared in the series very early on – issue #1, in fact – and that the role she plays in Batman’s world would be quite surprising.

Though we might be between two major storylines, this issue’s significance lies in casting the Dark Knight’s web of support even wider.

OMAC Vol. 1: OMACtivate TPB - $16.99

By Dan Didio & Keith Giffen | DC

The only casualty of the first round of New 52 cancellations that was truly a tragedy, OMAC was a series that was concerned with nothing but big action and good fun. It’s the closest the DC Universe has come to creating a comic book with an Incredible Hulk-esque feel to it, featuring a lead character with dueling personalities that need one another to survive just as much as they come into conflict.

Collected in trade paperback, this is likely the last place we’ll see the character spotlighted in a headlining capacity, so if you’re looking for pure blockbuster fun and you passed this series up the first time around, here’s your chance to make good on contributing to getting this book canned.

Gambit #1 - $2.99

By James Asmus & Clay Mann | Marvel

Last week, I admitted to the fact that I wasn’t a Hawkeye fan. Yet, the debut of the new Hawkeye series was probably my favorite superhero comic of the week. Here’s hoping that another character I’ve never liked – the Cajun sensation, Gambit – can get a similar treatment in his new ongoing series. Asmus and Mann are sending Gambit back to his roots of thievery as Remy stumbles onto what could be the biggest score of his life. Naturally, a score that big comes with proportionate consequences.

Time will tell if Gambit can move onto my full-time pull list, but at the very least, I’ll be giving this debut issue a shot.

The Creep #0 - $2.99

By John Arcudi & Jonathan Case | Dark Horse

One of my favorite writers in comics is John Arcudi (if you’ve never read A God Somewhere, rectify that immediately), so I’m delighted that he’s got a new series debuting this week from Dark Horse. The Creep is a crime tale that follows a detective with freakish facial deformities as he investigates the seemingly self-inflicted death of an old flame’s son.

With the amount of work Arcudi’s done on BPRD, you can rest assured that the mystery elements will be gripping, and the added angle of the detective/love interest is sure to add a hefty amount of tension and drama. Combine that with the potential depression levels of The Elephant Man, and you’ve got yourself a multi-faceted tale that is sure to impress. Plus, you’ve got interiors by Green River Killer’s Jonathan Case and a pretty swell Frank Miller cover to boot.

Archer & Armstrong #1 - $3.99

By Fred Van Lente & Clayton Henry | Valiant

The summer of Valiant continues with the debut of the last of the publisher’s initial launch titles, Archer & Armstrong. Valiant has been 3-for-3 so far, and bringing back the team behind the beloved Incredible Hercules could make it 4-for-4. The series focuses on the partnership of two unlikely allies as they tumble head first into a conspiracy that’s been brewing for centuries.

Even if you never read the original Archer & Armstrong, just like the rest of the Valiant re-launch, this is a new beginning and a fresh point for you to jump on board. The quality of their other titles so far should be enough for you to give this one a shot.

Joey is IGN's Comics Editor and a comic book creator himself. Follow Joey on Twitter, or find him on IGN. He loves superhero pets so hard.